Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| por la noche | /poɾ la ˈnot͡ʃe/ |
| de noche | /de ˈnot͡ʃe/ |
Which one should you use?
por la noche is typically used to refer to a specific period or a recurring time during the night. In contrast, de noche is often used to describe an activity that happens under the cover of darkness or as a general characteristic of the time.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in Latin America, the informal phrase en la noche is used to mean "at night". In some Latin American countries, en la madrugada is used specifically to refer to the early hours before dawn. In Spain, particularly in Andalusia, the phrase a deshoras can be used to convey the idea of doing something late at night or at unusual hours.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase por la noche uses the feminine article la because noche is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/poɾ la ˈnotʃe/
Did you know?
- The term trasnochar is a specific verb used to describe the act of staying up late into the night or pulling an all-nighter.
- The phrase buenas noches serves as both a greeting when arriving and a farewell when leaving at night.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the 'night' period begins much later than in English, with dinner often served at 9 pm or 10 pm.
Examples in context
- Duermes por la noche.At night you sleep.This sentence illustrates the use of por la noche to describe sleeping during the night.Tatoeba #5244832 by cueyayotl, translation #5243791 by Objectivesea
- Él solía leer de noche.He used to read at night.This sentence shows how de noche describes the habit of reading at night.Tatoeba #1354844 by marcelostockle, translation #304223 by CK
- No trabajo por la noche.I don't work at night.This sentence demonstrates the use of por la noche to state that one does not work at night.Tatoeba #7586084 by arh, translation #6532187 by CK
- Me gusta caminar por la noche.I like to walk at night.
- Trabaja duro durante la noche.He/she works hard at night.
- Nos vemos en la noche.We'll see each other at night.
- Salgamos de noche a disfrutar de la música.Let's go out at night to enjoy the music.
- Siempre me siento inspirado por la noche.I always feel inspired at night.
- Vamos a bailar en la noche.Let's go dancing at night.
- 133 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are talking about their routines in a cafe.
- Alejandro¿Sueles salir por la noche, Sofía?Do you usually go out at night, Sofía?
- SofíaNo, prefiero descansar por la noche.No, I prefer to rest at night.
- AlejandroYo sí salgo mucho por la noche.I do go out a lot at night.
- Sofía¡Qué envidia me das, Alejandro!I envy you, Alejandro!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “at night” translations and entries por la noche, de noche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
